Chapter 29 - The Thing Called “UI”

Pain came back first. Then breath. Then awareness. Riven's eyes slowly opened, his vision blurry at first. The ceiling above him was unfamiliar—wooden, cracked slightly, dim light leaking through small gaps. "…Where…" His voice came out dry. "…You're awake." A soft voice answered. Riven turned his head slightly. One of his party members sat nearby, relief visible on his face. "…You collapsed after the dungeon." Riven blinked slowly. Memories rushed back. The boss. The fight. The power. The dream. His expression stiffened slightly. "…How long?" "…Two days." Riven's eyes widened a little. "…Two…?" But before he could think further— A faint sound echoed in his head. "Notification." His gaze froze. Then— The familiar cold voice followed. "Hidden Achievement Reward Unlocked.""Condition fulfilled.""Skill Granted: UI (Locked State)." Riven sat up slightly despite the pain. "…UI?" The words slipped out quietly. The party member frowned. "…What?" Riven shook his head. "…Nothing." His eyes focused ahead, processing. "…UI…" He muttered again. "…User Interface?" A pause. Then he frowned. "…No… that doesn't make sense…" The system didn't respond further. No explanation. No details. Just… there. Locked. Waiting. Riven exhaled slowly. "…Great. Another mystery." Scene shifted. Later that day. Riven walked through the village slowly. His body still sore—but functional. His steps were steady. His mind… wasn't. "UI…" "Ghuul…" "That version of me…" Too many things. Too many questions. "…Tch…" He rubbed the back of his neck slightly. "…One thing at a time…" And then— Thud. He bumped into someone. Soft. Light. Both stepped back instantly. "…Ah—sorry—" Riven stopped mid-sentence. Because it was her. Lucy. She blinked once. Then—both of them froze. A slight silence. Then— A faint red tint appeared on both their faces. "…Ah…" Riven scratched his cheek awkwardly. "…Heh… Lucy… how are you?" Lucy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding direct eye contact. "…G-good… what about you?" Riven smiled slightly. "…Much better." A pause. Then softer— "…Thanks." Lucy looked up slightly. "…For what?" Riven's expression softened. "…For taking care of me." Lucy blinked. "…What?" Riven chuckled lightly. "…I could hear you." A pause. "…When you were dressing my wounds." Lucy froze. Completely. Her face turned red instantly. "…Y-you were awake?!" Riven laughed a little. "…Not fully." Lucy covered her face slightly. "…That's embarrassing…" Riven shrugged slightly. "…Not really." Then—he added casually— "…You were talking a lot though." Lucy's eyes widened. "…W-what did I say?!" Riven smirked faintly. "…Should I repeat it?" "…NO!" she said instantly. Then—realizing her reaction—she looked away quickly. "…I mean… don't…" Riven laughed softly. Then said playfully— "…You were blushing like Hinata Hyuga." Lucy froze again. "…What?" Riven waved it off. "…Nothing." Lucy didn't reply. She just turned around quickly. "…I have work!" And ran off. Fast. Riven stood there for a second. Then chuckled under his breath. "…Cute." But then— His expression changed. Instantly. His eyes sharpened. The air around him felt… different. Familiar. That presence. He had felt it before. Back at the guild. Cold. Sharp. Unreadable. "…Again…" Riven turned slowly. His gaze scanned the surroundings. Then— He felt it. A direction. Without hesitation— He started walking. Then faster. Then running. The presence didn't disappear this time. It stayed. Leading him. Pulling him. Through streets. Past people. Toward the edge of the village. And there— He saw him. Standing ahead. Calm. Still. That same aura. That same presence. Xavier. Riven's eyes widened slightly. "…You…" He stepped forward. Slowly. Carefully. "…Who are you?" No answer. Xavier didn't turn. Didn't move. Riven stepped closer. "…Why do you keep appearing?" Silence. Another step. "…Say something." He was just a few steps away now. Close enough to reach. Riven extended his hand slightly. "…Wait—" And then— Xavier faded. Like smoke. Gone. Completely. No trace. No sound. Nothing. Riven froze. His hand still extended. His eyes narrowed slowly. "…Damn it…" The wind passed through the empty space where Xavier stood moments ago. But the presence— It lingered. Slightly. Like a message. Like a warning. Riven lowered his hand slowly. His gaze hardened. "…What are you…" A pause. "…And why are you watching me?" No answer came. Only silence. And questions that kept growing. The chapter ends. 🔥